A rout is a disorderly withdrawal made by a military force following defeat or morale failure. It may involve a single unit or an entire army.
Routs may be feigned to entice an enemy into chasing the 'retreating' force, causing them to abandon a strong defensive position or to lead them into a prepared ambush.
A rout is also a synonym for an overwhelming defeat as well as a verb meaning "to put to disorderly retreat" or "to defeat utterly."
